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Good Sleep – Does This Help with Hard Poops?

Sleep.

Who’s Getting Good Sleep Here?

It used to just happen right? Way back when we were seven, eight, and nine years old. We all just fell right asleep and woke up in the mornings? No big deal right…

Well, maybe it wasn’t that simple, but I for sure was great at sleeping, and I’m guessing that you were probably a great sleeper way back then as well.

I think sleep is a super big part of our lives, and good sleep is very important to making the most out of each day. (Ask your doctors what they think about sleep, if they say it’s not too important…well, I’d tell them to go pound sand and find yourself a new doc)

As some of you know, I recently worked for several years in the medical field, specifically with a company helping people sleep who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. (Sleep Apnea basically means you have disrupted sleep all night long or during different parts of the night. Some think it’s only “snoring”, but it’s much more than that and you don’t have to snore to have it. You can read up more about sleep apnea online at Dr. William Dement’s website: http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/ Dr. Dement is a great guy, and founded the Board of Sleep Physicians in the US, he is also considered the father of sleep medicine. He’s a super great guy, he doesn’t have or at least he didn’t tell me he did…but you’ll learn a ton from his site about your sleep)

Anyways…I started this job just about 11 months after my UC diagnosis, and I learned a crapload of things about sleep. The biggest thing I learned was how important sleep is in all our lives.

I’ve been thinking about sleep quite a bit lately. Mainly because ever since I’ve started the roadtrip I’m currently on across the US, my sleep has improved, and both my colitis and my sleep is in the best shape its been for several years now.(I’m not taking any medications or probiotics. I started a few weeks ago taking every 3-4 days a Trader Joes multivitamin, which makes my pee turn yellowish green…kinda cool, but that’s it.)

Although I’m sleeping in the back of a Volkswagen Van most nights, I’m sleeping through the night without any waking up 75% of the time, and the wakeups are because of an overdue pee.(I know you all know that feeling). So I’m convinced that its not all about the quality of the bed we sleep in…

So what’s up with your sleep? Below is a link for the iHaveUC Sleep Survey, and I hope you take some time to fill out the questions, and I’ll post them at a later time for everyone who is part of the newsletter.

I’ll also include with the results some inside info that I’ve learned about sleep that I’m sure most of you don’t know about already.(Or at least 90% of physicians who I spoke with in the San Francisco area had no clue about unfortunately, same thing goes for my father and cousin who are awful sleepers.)

Hi Bev, you seem very active on this site, so I wanted to run something past you (Adam also)!! Has anyone tried a powder preparation called “Gut Relief” by Nutrition Care? It’s made in Australia and has properties such as Glutamine, Quercetin, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Aloe leaf, Slippery Elm, Guar Gum, Pectin, Peppermint Oil and Cumerone…amongst others. I went off it for a couple of weeks when I began the Specific Carbohydrate Diet 5 weeks ago (great results so far I must add…particularly with lessening my fatigue level) since it contained Slippery elm and that’s illegal on the SCD. However, when I returned to it, I noticed a big improvement in my blood within stools and I strung together quite a few days in a row of no blood whatsoever! It’s working well for me and I thought I’d share it. I’m on L-glutamine on the suggestion of this site, probiotics, vit’s D, B complex, vit C/Zinc drink. I’m doing pretty well. Just some lower back pain here and there and some minor blood in stools some days with 2 BM’s a day, not much diharrea anymore. Salofalk (Asacol) 1 gram sachets x 2 morning and night. I was diagnosed in Feb and trying to get right on top of it as fast as I can. Ha ha!! – I know that’s not possible, but, it’s going okay for now. Just thought I’d share “Gut Relief” and let others know that even on SC diet the slippery elm element hasn’t had a negative effect with me. Good luck everyone and that goodness for this site! Thanks Adam!! Caroline.

That’s great news that you are having some good success with the program you’re on!. Awesome!

I myself don’t remember how many others here are using Gut Relief, but I’d guess there are at least some. That’s also great about the Slippery Elm, many others from the site talk very highly about that as well, so big congrats once again for finding something that’s is working for you! Bev…what you thinking?

I haven’t even heard of ‘Gut Relief’, but it certainly sounds good. A lot af good stuff in it, from what I am reading in Caroline’s post above. I think in the future more products like these are going to be produced so that we may just have to buy and take only one thing and not fifteen different things! It can get quite expensive, and of course, natural stuff isn’t covered by insurance…

I agree with Caroline…thank goodness for this site!!

And you, Adam. Do you ever realize just how much you’ve helped us all by bringing us together to share information? I really don’t know where I’d be were it not for you and this site. muchacho…my appreciation abounds!!

Gut Relief has been available here in Australia since at least 2008 when I was on it for Proctitis. It isn’t horrendously expensive – around A$37.00 per bottle. Lasts a good month or so. 1 tsp 20 mins before breakfast, 1 tsp 20 mins before dinner. Ciao!

I just took the survey too Bev. As I stated in the survey, I had mononucleosis when I was 18 years old and I now have sleep apnea….both due to poor sleeping habits! Will I EVER learn to get at least 8 hours sleep? I hope so…for my sake!! :(

Recent Reviews:

"I received your book two days ago and have nearly finished it, I can't put it down! First of all I just want to say 'Thank you' for writing this funny and informative book. With all the books I have read (on IBD) and what I have read on the internet your book has been the only one which has made me feel 'normal', and that I wasn't dealing with this disease on my own. There is so many things I relate to in your book, only things which UC'ers would know about. Regarding your cook book, can't wait to put a few of your recipes to the test! "
Narelle
Canberra, Australia
"I loved both books, am following the diet for my UC( veteran ucer from 1989 to present ) and feeling alot better on it. Very relatable and funny! Showed me I wasn't alone with my feelings"
Nicole K.
New Jersey USA
"Thank you so much.
I am here to tell you this is an excellent book. I now have a group that I can reach out to and ask questions. I was diagnosed In July 2012, and I had no earthly idea what to do, who to talk to for advice. I started searching to find answers and Thank God I found your website, book and cookbook. Information about how to handle UC is essential and you have taken the time to share your experiences (which made me smile and laugh) and some actions to take during flare ups.
Again I thank you, keep up the excellent work.
Thank you"
Vernique
Maryland USA
"I enjoyed the book and I feel like it adds to my list of all the data I am collecting to formulate the best plan to attack this Colitis situation . It's one more step forward, and the book and the feedback with the follow up on emails has lead me into new paths that I would not have found elsewhere, so I am appreciative of this.
Thanks"
S. Griffiths
Belleville Ontario Canada
"My husband was diagnosed about 2 1/2 years ago and has been in a constant flareup since. None of the medicines worked, we weren't getting any help from the doctors, etc. Your book gave me insight into how he was feeling and helped me to understand more what he is going though. Thank you!
and - I love how witty and honest you are about things! I laughed out loud several times... this book is great!"
Anonymous
Western New York USA

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